Susan Eiserloh Buckel

Susie was born on February 8th, 1959, at Baptist Hospital and was raised on Tchoupitoulas Street. She attended St. Francis of Assisi School and graduated from Mercy Academy in 1977. She dedicated decades of service to the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals before her retirement this past year.

Susie had a beautiful gift for making the people in her life feel deeply loved. To Susie, family was always a reason to celebrate. She never needed a reason to bring everyone together and would invent one if needed, just to spend time with her loved ones.

She adored her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews and treasured every opportunity to make memories with them. Her most treasured role was being “Gammie” to her five beloved grandchildren.

A true New Orleans girl, Susie loved Mardi Gras. Every year, she looked forward to the balls and traditions of Carnival season. And when her birthday fell during Mardi Gras, she was especially happy to share her day with her favorite holiday. In 2002, she proudly reigned as Queen of the Krewe of Atlas.

Susie also loved the beach, especially Waveland, Mississippi, where family vacations became beloved traditions. The magic of Waveland was spending time with family, fishing off the seawall, and crabbing at the train bridge.

More than anything, Susie will be remembered for the extraordinary way she loved. She never let those closest to her wonder how much they meant to her. She told them often, with the words that became so unmistakably hers: “I love you the whole world and a mile.”

Susie is survived by her loving mother, JoAnn Hahn Eiserloh; her significant other, Harry Ward; her children, Matthew Buckel and Shelly King (Brad); along with her cherished grandchildren, Kaitlyn King, Nathan Buckel, Brad King, Jr., Bennett Buckel, and A.J. Buckel. She is also lovingly remembered by siblings Sharon Scullin (Larry Vanderbook), Lynne Yanez (Jose), Robert Eiserloh (Dawn), nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Warren Eiserloh.

Her family was luckiest to have spent 67 years with her and will continue to celebrate her at every family gathering, every Mardi Gras event, every trip to Waveland, and every moment in between. When they think of her, they will always hear those familiar words, spoken with all the love in her heart:

“I love you the whole world and a mile.”

And we love you, too, Gammie, the whole world and a mile times infinity.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home on Tuesday October 20, 2026 at 1:00pm. Visitation will begin at 11:00am. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery.